The Schefflera plant is a popular houseplant option because it is easy to care for. If you're a new Schefflera owner or are looking for a new plant, you may be curious about what this one is like. Things like how big they get and their growth rate can help you decide if a plant is for you. We've done the research so we can tell you how fast Schefflera grows and how tall they get.
Schefflera plants can reach heights between 5 and 50 feet, depending on the species you have. You can expect this plant to grow between 13 and 24 inches each year.
That's not all there is to learn about this plant. Keep reading to discover the expected heights of common Schefflera plants, if you can prune them, how long they live, and even more great information.
Schefflera Plant Height
For the most part, the tallest your Schefflera will grow is up to 50 feet. Don't let those heights deter you! You can easily prune these plants to control their sizes and shapes.
Let's look at some popular species of Schefflera and their expected full heights.
Schefflera Arboricola
The Schefflera arboricola is commonly known as the dwarf umbrella tree because it closely resembles the Australian umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla).
The dwarf umbrella tree is an evergreen shrub. In its natural habitat, this plant will produce flowers and berries. However, this is rare when they are grown indoors.
You can expect the Schefflera arboricola to grow as tall as 5 or 6 feet. This plant also has a spread between 1 and 3 feet at maturity.
Schefflera Actinophylla (Heptapleurum Actinophyllum)
The Schefflera acitonophylla is commonly known as the Australian umbrella tree, the octopus tree, or the umbrella tree. It is an evergreen tree that will grow up to 50 feet in its natural habitat.
Your Schefflera will likely be a similar height to the dwarf umbrella tree when grown indoors. You can always prune your plant to a smaller stature or improve its growing conditions to help make it taller.
Is Schefflera Fast-growing?
Plant growth falls into three different categories. Any plant that grows less than 12 inches per year has a slow growth rate. Plants growing between 13 and 24 inches each year have a medium growth rate. Finally, anything over 24 inches is a fast rate of growth.
The dwarf umbrella and Australian umbrella plant have a typical growth rate between 13 and 24 inches per year.
How Long Do Schefflera Plants Live?
As long as Schefflera plants are cared for, they can live for many years. The Schefflera actinophylla and Schefflera arboricola can live anywhere from 25 to 50 years when grown outdoors.
When grown indoors, many Schefflera will survive at least 20 years. To help your umbrella tree live that long, make sure you're providing adequate amounts of light and watering correctly.
How Often Do You Water Schefflera?
Watering your Schefflera plant correctly is very important. These plants prefer moist soil. You don't want to overwater as that can cause root rot. While Schefflera is tolerant of some drought, underwatering can affect your plants' growth.
You will need to water your plant more frequently during its active growing periods. For Schefflera, this is usually from April to September. You'll most likely be watering once every couple of days during this period. You'll water less often in the winter, generally once a week.
The exact amount of time between watering will vary depending on your particular plant. You'll know it's time to water your Schefflera when the first inch of soil is dry. You can test this by using your finger or a soil moisture level meter.
Check out this water moisture tester on Amazon.
Is Schefflera A Good Indoor Plant?
Schefflera plants are very popular because of how easy they are to care for. They can grow in both low and bright light. However, the Schefflera plant does prefer an area with plenty of indirect sunlight.
Umbrella trees even survive a little bit of neglect. This plant is pretty drought tolerant. So, you can get away with not watering it for brief periods.
Another great thing about the Schefflera is how often they need to be repotted. You should move your umbrella tree to a larger pot once you notice it looks too big for its home. You should also transfer to a larger container if you see roots growing from the pot.
Otherwise, it would be best to repot your Schefflera once every 3 years. This will provide your plant with fresh soil that is packed with nutrients.
Cons of Schefflera
Despite their popularity, it's important to note that Schefflera plants are poisonous! Both the Australian umbrella tree and the dwarf umbrella tree are dangerous for cats, dogs, and humans. The Australian umbrella tree is also toxic to horses.
If you have pets or children, keeping them away from this plant will be essential. The reaction to Schefflera will vary per person. Be on the lookout for signs of poisoning. These signs include difficulty swallowing, burning in the mouth or throat, and drooling.
If you're concerned that a person has eaten or come in contact with this plant, you should call poison control immediately. If the plant was touched, it might also help to wash the affected area.
You should also act quickly if you suspect your pet has consumed part of the Schefflera. Take your pet to the vet, as kidney failure is a significant concern with the intake of this plant.
How Do I Make My Schefflera Taller?
Having a short or leggy Schefflera plant can be frustrating. Luckily, there are a few things that you can try to get a fuller and taller plant.
Bigger Container
If your Schefflera is too short, it may be in too small of a container. Plants won't get bigger if their roots can't expand and gather nutrients. Repotting your Schefflera can help it grow taller.
This is also a great way to introduce fresh soil. As your plant grows, it consumes the nutrients within the soil. You should repot your plant at least every 3 years to keep it growing well.
Adjust Sunlight
Another reason for a short umbrella tree is getting the incorrect amount of light. Your Scheffler can be affected by too little or too much sun.
These plants grow best in an area with a lot of sunlight. You should be trying to give your Schefflera around 6 hours of direct or filtered sunlight each day. You should consider protecting this plant from the afternoon sunlight, especially if you live in a warmer climate.
Water Properly
Over or underwatering your Schefflera plant can affect its growth as well. Remember that a water moisture sensor will help you determine if you have a good watering schedule.
Adjust Humidity
Umbrella plants are tropical plants that enjoy a humid environment. In general, Schefflera will need at least a 60% humidity level. While each home will be different, many only have a humidity level of around 40%.
You can fix the humidity levels for your Schefflera in a couple of different ways. You can move it into the bathroom. The humidity from showers should help improve your Schefflera.
Another option is to use a small humidifier in the vicinity of your plants. This can help control humidity levels without moving your plant or misting them occasionally.
Check out this humidity level meter on Amazon.
Check out this mini humidifier on Amazon.
Pruning
Periodically pruning your Schefflera helps it appear fuller and can help you to control its shape. These plants respond very well to pruning, and the process is straightforward.
First, have a general idea of how you want your Schefflera to look. Making a wrong cut can negatively affect Schefflera's appearance.
Once you're ready, you can begin cutting. You should make cuts at the growth nodes of both the stems and branches. The growth node is the area right around where a leaf has sprouted. Cutting here will encourage more shoots to form.
In Closing
Schefflera plants are an excellent choice for a houseplant! They are low maintenance and can survive in less than ideal growing conditions. At maturity, umbrella plants can reach heights between 5 and 50 feet. These plants typically grow more than 13 inches each year. So, you'll likely need to prune them to control their heights.
Need more Schefflera information? You should try: